I answered a question just like this one yesterday. You can hire someone or go buy the parts needed for any repairs that are necessary & deduct it from what you pay the landlord in rent if you have receipts as proof but it has to be a repair that is important not just anything like a new doorknob or some addition you want to make.
My Landlord has broken our contract by not doing repairs, I am giving notice to
quit the property, can I hold my months rent, and let him keep my bond.
quit the property, can I hold my months rent, and let him keep my bond.
I'm not sure how your state works but where I'm at I will either hire someone to do it or buy what I need to repair it, keep the receipt as proof & deduct it from my rent. There is nothing they can do about it if they will not do the repairs in a timely manner.
No the tenant can not refuse to pay rent for the minor fixations as long as there is some special clause in the agreement. He has to pay the rents otherwise.